I consider Settlers of Catan to be the introduction to Board Games, and Axis and Allies to be the introduction to War Games. I’d probably want the person playing to have at least tried a game like Risk before playing –but that’s just so they’d have an idea of how dice are used.

Most people aren’t thrown into a comic shop at age 5 and given a crash-course of mentoring by the terrain building veterans still wearing reenactment garb from earlier that morning. Most people are introduced slowly into the “world of gaming.” They have to be… because Classic Games are all they usually know exist.

Axis and Allies has a special bit of magic about it. People typically are familiar with the basic tactics employed during the war. If you tell a beginning player controlling Japan that they probably want to attack Pearl Harbor –they’ll understand. Axis and Allies gives an introduction to War Games in a way that’s not overwhelming or alienating.

The nice sculpts and “newness” of this version really do a lot for today’s “almost-gamers.” I had the joy of sitting down with a group of college-players at an alumni gathering few weeks ago who were distinct non-gamers. They were all having some fun and were a bit surprised when during set-up I asked if I could fill in the missing spot. Their surprise continued when I told them I already knew how to play their “new game.” I couldn’t help but chuckle when one player told me “Japan can’t attack Russia, they have to go after the US fleet.”

One of the biggest tips I offer to new players of Scrabble is to never waste a “S.”

The beginner should always play the “S” in a manner that creates a new word while adding to an existing word on the the table. For example:

SCAT
N
A
K
E

Assuming the word “CAT” was already on the board, A beginner should always play the “S” in a way that you create a new word and add to the last, like the example above, or placing the word “CATS” with “SNAKE” as this results in higher word scores. Never, as the rulebook says: “just and an S to a word already on the board” (unless there’s some ridiculous combo on a triple word score or something).

I’ve read that the letter “S” starts 50% more words than any other letter, in addition to all the nouns and verbs it pluralizes. I’ll assume it’s true because it sounds good and I’m too lazy to verify the information.

I also preordered this game. The overall presentation of the game is excellent. Intertwining gameplay with the story is really intriguing and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. I really hope I get it by Gen Con ’12.

Player Stats

Critic (lvl 1)110 xp

Explorer (lvl 1)145 xp

Professor (lvl 0)51 xp

Reporter (lvl 1)123 xp

About Me

Lore Slinger™ is the debut title of designing and writing duo: Josh Sprung and Tony Gullotti.
Launching in two parts, a graphic novel series and a table-top hobby board game, the Lore Slinger™ concept pulls from a multitude of inspirations. The graphic novel has Japanese manga as well as American comic influences. Board Games, Role-Playing Games, War Games and even a few Video games have played part in game design.
We hope you will become immersed in the tale and follow along with us on this journey.